In our last post we considered the challenge of determining which sources can be trusted when looking for answers to questions like “when will the world end?” In this and the next two posts we’ll take a look at three tests which can be applied to information sources on virtually any subject matter to determine their credibility.
The first credibility test is what I call the “history test”. The test of history asks the question: “How long has this source been around?” With time, you have opportunity for a track record to be established. The more time a source has been around, the better, because you can test the credibility of that source.
For example, we all have certain people we like to do business with – maybe it’s an auto mechanic. “He’s the one we’ve used for years,” we say. Over the course of those years we’ve found him to be skillful – he’s actually fixed the car. And if he couldn’t, he was honest, and referred us to someone – a specialist, who was able to fix the problem. So history provides us with a track record.
After we look at the other credibility tests, we’ll apply them all to various sources like the Mayans (famous for 2012) and Nostradamus, as well as the Bible. Will this help us in answering the question – when will the world end? I think you’ll find the results very compelling.
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It’s very helpful to have some kind of filter to find or way through the maze of ideas and opinions out there – especially on the subject of when will the world end. Looking forward to the next two credibility tests.
This is an excellent test to apply. Far too many folks with all kinds of ideas and no track record to back up their claims or predictions. It’s amazing how many will believe such people. Most are more careful about who they take their care to get it fixed than who they believe about stuff like when will the world end.